Where to stay in Venice area by area

Find out where to stay in Venice. Then get ready to explore the city. The information in this article is taken from The Rough Guide to Italy your essential guide for visiting Italy.

Hotels in Venice are some of Europe's most expensive. And high season is Italy's longest. So where is the best place to stay in Venice for your trip? Use our expert guide to find out.

San Marco: where to stay in Venice for luxury

San Marco is the heart of Venice. It's been central to the city for over 1000 years.

Many visitors head here first. Then leave after sightseeing.

But San Marco hotels are Venice's finest. And it's also home to elegant cafés and shops.

Best for five-star views

Book Baglioni Hotel Luna on Canal Grande. Views from its terraces are spectacular.

Best for a super lux experience

Indulge in the Gritti Palace. Once home of the Doge. Now a luxury hotel. Expect a hi-tech and opulence mix.

San Marco is where to stay in Venice for extreme luxury © Claudio Stocco/Shutterstock

Dorsoduro: the area for art lovers

Dorsoduro is home to unusual Venetian architecture. And it's where to find art galleries.

Gallerie dell’Accademia is here. And it's the area for Scuola Grande dei Carmini. The Guggenheim is also in Dorsoduro.

Best for impeccable cool

Find Charming House DD724 beside the Guggenheim. It's modernist cool. Refreshing in nostalgic Venice.

Best for atmospheric rooms

Choose upmarket Ca Maria Adele. Rooms are themed'. And each is designed for atmosphere.

Prefer to leave planning and booking to experts? Have a look at some sample itineraries. Both Complete Italy or Italy Itineraries offer inspiration. All Tailor Made Trips can be modified together with your local expert, then booked for a stress-free holiday. Click 'Modify this itinerary' to contact a local Italy expert.

Canal side restaurants in Dorsoduro, Venice Italy © Shutterstock

San Polo and Santa Croce: the districts for local life

San Polo and Santa Croce centre on Campo San Polo and the Rialto.

This was once Venice's commercial heart. And Rialto Market is still legendary. Look forward to local bustle.

Best for traditional meets modern

Book GKK Exclusive Private suite Venezia. One of the city's best budget stays. Big rooms. Great location.

Best for a gothic getaway

Fine little Ca’ San Giorgio B&B echoes gothic palazzo. Think timber beams and brick walls.

Round the Rialto Market is where to stay in Venice like a local © Shutterstock

Cannaregio: the quarter for ancient history

Cannaregio is low on big sights. But it's big on atmosphere.

It's home to several evocative areas. Not least the world's very first Ghetto.

Best for a monastic retreat

Once a Carmelite monastery. Airy Hotel Abbazia is very restful.

Best stay in a restored palace

Palazzo Abadessa has huge rooms. All furnished with authentic antiques. And there's a garden too.

The historic Ghetto, first in the world, Venice Italy © Luca Giubertoni/Shutterstock

continued below

Related articles from the blog

Central Castello: the area for museums

Castello sits around vast Santi Giovanni e Paolo. The one time pantheon of the doges.

Museums lie to the district's south. It's the area for Querini-Stampalia collection. San Giorgio dei Greci and Museo Diocesano are also here.

Best for summer evenings

Ca' Dei Dogi is close to museums. And comes with outdoor terraces.

Best for an indulgent escape

Hotel Danieli is a gothic palazzo. Grand and indulgent. Perfect for sybarites.

Church of Santi Giovanni e Paolo in Eastern Castello ©Natalia Volkova/Shutterstock

Where to stay in Eastern Castello

Castello is attraction light. And a large part is the Arsenale dockyards. But don't ignore this western district.

San Francesco della Vigna is here. It's home to Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni. And it has stunning waterfront panoramas.

Best for mid budget

La Residenza sits close to the waterfront. A former 14th century palazzo.

Best for independence

Palazzo Soderini offers cool and airy apartments. Pretty shared garden.

Ready to travel to Italy? Find out about the best time to go and the best places to see and things to do in Italy. For inspiration use the Italy itineraries from The Rough Guide to Italy and our local travel experts. A bit more hands on, learn about getting there, getting around the country and where to stay once you are there. And don't forget to buy travel insurance before you go.

We may earn commission when you click on links in this article, but this does not influence our editorial standards - we only recommend services that we genuinely believe will enhance your travel experiences.

Find even more inspiration for Italy here